Restaurateur introduces Kisumé led by star chefs

Restaurateur Chris Lucas has announced his new three-level Japanese restaurant in Melbourne, Kisumé, will be helmed by executive chefs K. S. Moon and Shaun Presland.

Kisumé is The Lucas Group’s latest project and will marry the elegant and exacting principles of Japanese cuisine with an Australian sensibility.

Korean-born Moon is regarded by his contemporaries as a sushi craftsman who combines innovative methods in modern sushi preparation with traditional practices. He holds a number of certifications including one that—having undergone rigorous training for years—allows him to prepare blowfish (fugu) for human consumption. He is also an international sake sommelier.

Moon is leaving his signature restaurant Mikuni in Singapore to take up the position. Before that, he was handpicked by Giorgio Armani to open Armani’s international Japanese restaurant at The Armani Hotel in Dubai. Moon also spent time at the Hotel Okura in Tokyo.

Shaun Presland is one of Australia’s most highly regarded contemporary Japanese chefs, having earned his stripes in Tokyo after which he opened Nobu in the Bahamas followed by Sydney’s Sushi-E and the original Sake in The Rocks.

The Lucas Group’s general manager of wine, Philip Rich, and Markus Tschuschnig, former food and beverage director of the renowned MASA omakase restaurant in New York, will both curate the extensive wine and sake program.

“My daughter Holly was born in Tokyo so this restaurant opening is a very personal one,” said Lucas. “It’s the culmination of years of hard work and fulfils a dream that one day I could do justice to the beauty and elegance of Japanese food right here in my home town.

“I’m also very proud that world-class talents like Chef Moon, Shaun and Markus are making Melbourne their home, along with their families, which is a huge personal commitment and recognition of Melbourne’s standing as one the great food cities of the world.”

Kisumé is slated to open at 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, in May.

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